Winston Peanut was my first pig and the beginning of a passion. Mel bought him for my birthday in 2004 and life hasn’t been the same since. We knew nothing about pigs, Winston was the beginning of our learning curve. He is a scented pig and has the most beautiful smell, like rain on hot earth tempered with spice. He is still with us, a respected elder and the love of my life.

Jessie came to us pregnant with boyfriend Oi-Oi. They had been handed over to the owner of a restaurant because the original owners could no longer look after them. The restaurant kept them in the back in comfortable, well fed happiness until the Department of Health intervened, So they came to us - and so did their piglets. Jessie is a lady who knows what she wants (food) and is relentless when her mind is made up.

Ahhh Henry. Owner surrendered and not neutered, Henry was very angry. For months after we sterilized him he would charge us every opportunity he got. He cornered us a few times but luckily never drew blood. Two years later and a lot calmer, Henry tolerates us. We are allowed in his camp, can even sit near him but have never been able to scratch his ears or rub his belly. Our big, bad boy.

Whizzer was being sold as a Teacup pig at an infamous Pet Shop. No one wanted him and the “Greeder” refused to take him back. In desperation the owner of said pet shop begged us to take him. That was 7 years ago and Whizzer has become a much loved herd Elder. He is a scented pig - smells like a spice market, cannot get enough of it.

Rebel came to us intact and wild, abandoned on a property with 4 other pigs. He would charge Mel at every opportunity and added to the scars on his legs. Even when sterilized, he was dangerous. We kept him in a pen close to us so he could get used to our voices, our smell until eventually he calmed down enough to let into the general population. From there, we scratched his back or his ears until one famous day he flopped for a belly rub. He is now leader of the pack around the house and a gentle giant. He will never beg for a rub but will willingly flop if asked politely.

We rescued Sunshine from an informal settlement when we went in with CLAW to educate people on how to keep their pigs healthy. He was a tiny malnourished piglet who had hours left to live. We breathed life into him and he has had a carefree time of it since then - living and loving to his heart’s content. Why Sunshine? Because he smiled when we picked him up and hasn't stopped.

Puzzle came to us from Happy Yappers. He had lived many years alone and was not used to other pigs - and although one of the biggest boys in the yard would run if anyone came near him. We had to enclose him again but introduced him slowly to a young family of inbreds (their spines are fusing and they cannot be released into the herd). They are all now living in their own big area and Puzzzle is enjoying being a pig again - with other pigs.